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98 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. Grimsley, as you doubtless know, is an unconscionable jackass, and only desires to make himself notorious. It was through him that McLaren and George made the mistake of telegraphing a falsehood to you. I should be pleased to hear whether you approve of the course I have adopted, and if not, I am ready to take any other that you, as my commander, may suggest. I am, sir, most truly, Your obedient servant, D. M. FROST. Upon the capture of Camp Jackson, and the consequent dis- astrous collision between some of the United States troops and the people, the wildest excitement prevailed throughout the State. The most sensational reports flew abroad of the brutal murder of men, women and children by an infuriated soldiery, of their charge with fixed bayonets upon an unoffending crowd of citizens, and of their committing the most horrid outrages upon these innocent victims. People in various localities rose to avenge the reported terrible slaughter, and the whole State was in a frenzy of indignation. Final Efforts Toward Conciliation.-Two days after the capt- ure of Camp Jackson, Brig.-Gen. William S. Harney, com- mandant of the department, returned to St. Louis from Wash- ington, and issued a proclamation, in which he called upon the people to resume their accustomed peaceful vocations, and assured them that he would only use "the military force stationed in this district in the last resort to preserve the peace." After two more days, Gen. Harney issued a second procla- mation in which he characterized the " Military Bill," passed by the recent Legislature, as "an indirect secession ordinance, ignoring even the forms resorted to by other States," and as unconstitutional and void. He spoke approvingly of the over- throw of Camp Jackson, upon the ground that it had been "organized in the interests of the secessionists," the men openly wearing the dress and badge of the Southern Confederacy; and that arms had been received into the camp which had been unlawfully taken from the United States arsenal at Baton Rouge, and shipped up the river in boxes marked "marble." He declared that "no government in the world would be entitled to respect, that would tolerate for a moment, such openly treasonable preparations;" but added that it was but simple justice to suppose

98 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. Grimsley, as you doubtless know, is an unconscionable jackass, and only desires to make himself notorious. It was through him that McLaren and George made the mistake of telegraphing a falsehood to you. I should be pleased to hear whether you approve of the course I have adopted, and if not, I am ready to take any other that you, as my commander, may suggest. I am, sir, most truly, Your obedient servant, D. M. FROST. Upon the capture of Camp Jackson, and the consequent dis- astrous collision between some of the United States troops and the people, the wildest excitement prevailed throughout the State. The most sensational reports flew abroad of the brutal murder of men, women and children by an infuriated soldiery, of their charge with fixed bayonets upon an unoffending crowd of citizens, and of their committing the most horrid outrages upon these innocent victims. People in various localities rose to avenge the reported terrible slaughter, and the whole State was in a frenzy of indignation. Final Efforts Toward Conciliation.-Two days after the capt- ure of Camp Jackson, Brig.-Gen. William S. Harney, com- mandant of the department, returned to St. Louis from Wash- ington, and issued a proclamation, in which he called upon the people to resume their accustomed peaceful vocations, and assured them that he would only use "the military force stationed in this district in the last resort to preserve the peace." After two more days, Gen. Harney issued a second procla- mation in which he characterized the " Military Bill," passed by the recent Legislature, as "an indirect secession ordinance, ignoring even the forms resorted to by other States," and as unconstitutional and void. He spoke approvingly of the over- throw of Camp Jackson, upon the ground that it had been "organized in the interests of the secessionists," the men openly wearing the dress and badge of the Southern Confederacy; and that arms had been received into the camp which had been unlawfully taken from the United States arsenal at Baton Rouge, and shipped up the river in boxes marked "marble." He declared that "no government in the world would be entitled to respect, that would tolerate for a moment, such openly treasonable preparations;" but added that it was but simple justice to suppose